Scouts recycle bicycles and send them to Africa

Spartans Explorer Scout Unit (boys and girls aged 14 to 18) based in Deddington are helping to recycle bicycles.

The aim of the project is to recycle bicycles that are broken, which means taking working parts from several bikes to make a working one. Whilst doing this, the explorer scouts are learning new skills. They have also carried out bike maintenance for Bloxham pre-School and have used the project as part of their Platinum Chief Scout Award.

On Saturday, June 25, the explorer scouts collected 21 unwanted adult bicycles from the Windmill Centre in Deddington. They were taken to Halfords who have been assisting in the recycling project. The bicycles are packed into containers and sent to Africa. Nathan Wheeler from Halfords said: “In one day, the explorer scouts brought in as many bikes as we usually get in a year!”

Explorer scout Oli Betteridge said: “I love scouts, it allows you to experience many new things like skiing, camping and more. These experiences allow young people like me to build character, make friends and have great life-long memories.”

Adult volunteer Janet Duxbury said: “I’ve been able to help many young people develop for their future in society. I still see some of the people who have been involved in scouts and am proud to say that being involved in scouting helped them decide which career path to choose.”

Nigel Taylor, from the Scout Association, said: “We provide over 200 activities for boys and girls aged 6 to 25. These range from abseiling to zorbing, crafts to grass sledging and bike maintenance to teamwork. We enable people to learn new skills, take responsibility whilst at the same time have a great deal of fun and adventure.

“As scouting has grown for the 11 th successive year, we are always looking for more people to become adult volunteers; we can ensure they will also have a great time.”